After having their record winning streak snapped at home last year by the Kissimmee Osceola Kowboys, the Lakeland Dreadnaughts came into Friday’s night game with extra incentive. Yes the district championship was on the line, but this game was more about the district, it was about pride and bragging rights.

At the end of Friday’s night game between Lakeland and St. Thomas Aquinas, there wasn’t a dry eye on the field. Both teams had played in one of the best high school games you will ever see and both teams left everything they had on the field. For St. Thomas they came up just short. Literally as they lost in double overtime to Lakeland 45-42.

The Lakeland Dreadnaughts had a dream season this year. They finished the season with a perfect 15-0 record, winning their second straight 5A state championship and the mythical national championship crown as well by finishing number one in the USA today high school poll. As good as the Dreadnaughts were this year, they can be even better this year. The team was led by playmaking juniors on both sides of the balls. One player hoping to lead the Dreadnaughts to a third state title is junior defensive back Ahmad Black.